Family Immigration Attorney in Augusta, Georgia

The longing to be with family is universal, crossing borders and bridging cultures. We know the journey to reunite with your loved ones through family immigration can be filled with questions, challenges, and uncertainty. But one thing is certain: you don't have to face this without professional support and guidance.

At PVB Law LLC, our skilled family immigration attorney is here to help. We empathize with your situation and are committed to guiding you through each step of the process. Our ultimate goal is to ensure your loved ones can join you in the United States. If you are in the Augusta or Atlanta, Georgia, areas and need immigration guidance, reach out to us today for support. We are here for you.

Types of Family-Based Visas 

Understanding the various visa types available for family-based immigration is an essential first step in the process of bringing your loved ones to join you in the U.S. Family Immigration in the United States is primarily facilitated through two categories of visas: 

Immediate Relative Visas: These visas are designed for the immediate relatives of U.S. citizens. The advantage of this category is that there is no numerical limit on the visas issued annually. The Immediate Relative visas include: 

• IR-1 and CR-1: For the spouse of a U.S. citizen

• IR-2: For an unmarried child of a U.S. citizen who is under the age of 21 

• IR-3 and IR-4: For an orphan adopted abroad or to be adopted in the U.S. by a U.S. citizen

• IR-5: For the parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old

Family Preference Category: This category is for specific, more distant family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). There are fiscal year numerical limitations on family preference immigrants. This category includes: 

• F1: For unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and their minor children

• F2: For spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and over) of LPRs

• F3: For married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and their spouses and minor children

• F4: For brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens and their spouses and minor children, provided the U.S. citizens are at least 21 years old

Knowledge of these categories and selecting the appropriate one is pivotal to the immigration process. It is the key determinant of how soon your loved ones can join you in the United States. Getting in touch with our firm to understand the various visa types and their corresponding requirements is the first crucial step. 

Eligibility Requirements for Filing an Immigrant Visa 

Eligibility for filing an immigrant visa depends on the status of the person filing and their relationship with the individual they are sponsoring. To be eligible for filing an immigrant visa, the person filing must satisfy the following criteria: 

1. Status in the U.S.: The person filing must be a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, or a refugee. 

2. Family Relationship: The person being sponsored must be a relative of the individual filing. This could be a spouse, a son or daughter, a parent, or a sibling. 

3. Age Limit: If the person filing is a sibling or parent, the U.S. citizen must be at least 21 years old. 

4. Marital Status: For certain categories, the marital status of the person being sponsored is considered. For instance, some categories are specific to unmarried sons or daughters of U.S. citizens or LPRs. 

5. Adoption: In the case of adopted children or orphans, specific rules and regulations must be adhered to.  

Please note that each category has its unique criteria that must be met. Contact our firm for detailed information on specific family immigration categories. 

The Process to Obtain the Visa 

Obtaining a family-based immigrant visa involves several steps. It starts with the Petition Filing, where the person filing must submit a petition to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of their family member. 

Depending on the category and relationship, there may be a waiting period for a visa number to become available—this is known as Visa Availability. Once a visa number is available, the family member can apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country—this is the Visa Application process. 

The application then goes through Consular Processing, which includes interviews and document verification. If approved, the family member will receive an immigrant visa, allowing them to travel to the United States. This is known as Visa Issuance. Upon arrival in the United States, the family member becomes a lawful permanent resident and can begin their new life—this is Entry to the United States.